Physical-development apparatus



July 9, 1929. R. w. MACKIE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1927 I gwwmtot WMacib Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES RICHARD W. MACKIE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PHYSICAL-DEVELOPMENT APPARATUS.

Application filed October 10, 1927.

This invention relates to physical development apparatus, particularly useful in treating cases of spinal curvature, and it comprises adjustable attaching means for the shoulders and adjustable attaching means. for the legs of the patient whereby a constant pull can be maintained on the spine of the pa-' tient. This invention is not strictly limited to this use, however, as various other means exist to which the invention may with benefit be applied.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating my invention as applied to the body of a patient.

Fig. 2 shows in side elevation the adjustable attaching means for the shoulders, the body of the patient being shown in dotted lines.

To facilitate an understanding of my pres ent invention, reference will be hat. to the herein-shown embodiment, wherein 1 designates padded shoulder-straps which pass under the arms of wearer, attached to elastic rubber cords, rubber bands, metal springs or the like 2, which are fastened on their upper ends to a ring 3, which is a. part of swivel 5. A fixed flange l is attached to ring 3 and is inside the swivel. The swivel 5 is shown in section, has threads inside, and by turning can be shortened or lengthened, thus giving an easy adjustment for increasing or decreasing tension on cords or springs 2.

The upper end of swivel has a hook 6 suitable for placing around a bed post, or through an eyelet set into a bedstead, or other suitable place.

Adjustable straps 7 and 8 are provided, passing across the back and chest, respectively, of the wearer, having buckles 7A for adjusting the straps to size of wearer for the purpose of holding shoulder straps or yokes l in proper position.

Adjustable straps 9 are for attachment to the calves of the wearer, having buckles 10 for adjusting size to wearer. Straps 11 are attached to straps 9 and are adjustable to increase or decrease tension of rubber cords or springs as desired. Buckles 12 are provided on straps 11 for such adjusting as may be desired. Rubber cords, rubber bands, metal springs or the like 18, are attached to ring 14, which is in turn attached to hook 15, which may be placed around bedpost, through eyelet set into bedstead, or attached to any suitable place.

This spine treating apparatus is superior to Serial No. 225,291.

types patented or now in use, because it stretches the entire body, instead of confining its benefits to the spine. By decreasing the tension on the spinal vertebrze, it allows tired nerves to relax, and by slightly separatmg the spinal vertebrae, allows the body to build up the cartillage between said vertebrae and thus increase the length of the body.

My invention is particularly useful in assisting physicians and surgeons in the treatment of spinal curvature and other diseases, or in relieving pressure upon a fractured vertebrae, as it exerts a gradual and persistent tension and can be adjusted as desired. Disabled patients can be treated in bed with this apparatus without their assistance or cooperation being required. All types of spine developers or physical development apparatus now patented or in use have fixed adjustments, depend upon pull exert-ed by the patient or wearer, or must be worn in an upright position because of weight systems through overhead pulleys. My invention has a steady pull exerted by rubber cords, rubber bands, or metal springs, the tension of which can be adjusted either by a swivel at the head of the wearer or by straps attached to the calves of the wearer.

The types of spine exercisers or spine treating apparatus now patented or in use are either affixed solely to the head of the wearer, or to the head and shoulders, with a tendency to elongate the neck of the wearer if used to any extent. Some of them have straps for the feet. My invention takes into consideration the possibility of sleeping while wearing this development apparatus, and is therefore constructed so that the more sensitive parts of the body, namely, the head and feet, are not bound or harnessed, but the attachments of my invention are affixed to the shoulders and calves of the wearer. The shoulders of an ordinary individual are accustomed to straps of various kinds aflixed to clothing and sporting paraphernalia, and most hose supporters are afiixed to the calves of the legs.

By designing my invention to be worn in bed, to be adjustable and to feel natural, I thus enable the wearer or patient to use this physical development apparatus while asleep, and after becoming entirely accustomed thereto, to progressively increase the tension of the apparatus so as to be most beneficial.

I claim:

1. In a spine treating apparatus, an adjustable attaching means for the shoulders comprising a pair of flexible padded shoulder straps passing under the arms of the patient, adjustable straps passing over the back and chest of said patient associated with said shoulder straps, elastic means attached at their lower ends to said shoulder straps and at their upper ends to a ring associated with a swivel and adjustable attaching;- means for the legs of said patient, whereby a constant pullis maintained on the spine of said patient.

2. In a spine treating apparatus, an adjustable attaching means tor the shoulders of the patient comprising a pair of padded shoulder straps passing under the arms of said patient, adjustable straps passing over the back and chest of said patient associated with said shoulder straps to eli'ect proper adjustment of said shoulder straps, elastic means attached at their lower ends to said shoulder straps and at their upper ends to a ring asso ciated with a swivel adjusting means, and adjustable attaching means for the legs of said patient comprising a pair of adjustable straps adapted to be secured to the legs of the patient at a point between the ankles and the knees, means for adjusting said straps to the sis of said patients legs, adjustable straps attached to said first named straps, elastic means attached at their upper ends to said second named adjustable straps and attached at their lower ends to a ring associated with a hook,

3. In combination with a bed, a spine treatin g apparatus com n'ising a pair o1 adjustable straps adapted tobe secured. to the legs of the patient, adj ust-able straps attached to said first named straps, elastic means a tached at their upper ends to said second named adj ustable straps and attached at their lower ends to a ring associated with a hook adapted'to be secured to an end member of the bed; a pair cl padded shoulder straps passing under the arms of the patient, adjustable straps passing over the back and chest of said patient associated with said shoulder straps to etl'ect proper adjustment of the shoulder straps, elastic means attached at their lower ends to said shoulder straps and attached at their upper ends to a ring associated with a swivel ad justing means havinga hook adapted to be secured to a head member of the bed.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

RICHARD N. MAGKIE. 

